Aircraft Lavatory Movable Wall Stowage for PRM Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft lavatories for persons with reduced mobility (PRM) require significant modifications to accommodate a movable wall, which is difficult to fold and move, and current solutions lack efficient mechanisms for privacy and accessibility, often requiring flight crew to reach into unclean areas for latching.
Innovation Solution
A movable wall system within the lavatory monument that can be translated and stowed easily from a divided to a combined configuration using a handle-based latching mechanism, allowing the wall to be moved without reaching into the lavatories, and secured with ceiling or floor locks for privacy and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable wall is used to provide privacy between lavatories, then privacy is improved, but the wall is difficult to fold and remove requiring substantial effort and space
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is designed as a movable partition that can be dynamically repositioned between lavatories. The wall includes a top portion that can be folded down and a bottom portion that can be moved along the floor, transforming from a static barrier to a dynamic element that adapts to different privacy needs while reducing the effort required for movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall is divided into multiple segments including a top portion and a bottom portion that can move independently. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function - the top portion for privacy blocking and the bottom portion for easy repositioning along the floor, thereby improving overall ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable wall is installed in the lavatory, then privacy and accessibility are improved, but the wall requires utilities to be relocated during construction
Solution Approach 1:
The movable wall is designed as a universal component that can be installed in various lavatory configurations without requiring custom utility routing for each position. The wall's mobility allows it to serve multiple functions - providing privacy when stationary and enabling configuration changes when moved, thereby reducing the need for utility relocation during installation.
3Strength
If the wall is made monolithic for structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the wall becomes difficult to fold and move
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is segmented into a top portion and a bottom portion that can move independently. This segmentation allows the wall to maintain structural integrity through the rigid connection between segments while enabling easy folding and movement of individual portions, resolving the contradiction between strength and operability.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft lavatory monument is provided that includes a first lavatory comprising a first door providing access to the first lavatory from an aisle of an aircraft, a second lavatory proximate the first lavatory, the second lavatory comprising a second door providing access to the second lavatory from the aisle of the aircraft, and a movable wall disposed between the first lavatory and the second lavatory. In a first position, the movable wall separates the first lavatory from the second lavatory providing privacy therebetween. In a second position, the movable wall is translated toward an outer wall of the aircraft lavatory monument thereby combining the first lavatory and the second lavatory.